{"id":58948,"date":"2023-06-16T12:02:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T16:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=58948"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:39:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:39:46","slug":"lorazepam-for-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lorazepam-for-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"Lorazepam for sleep: Can lorazepam help with sleep?"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many, falling asleep at night isn’t always as simple as lying down and closing one’s eyes. Worries from the day may race through the mind, or getting comfortable may be impossible. Although it is normal to have trouble falling asleep and maintaining sleep occasionally, chronic insomnia can take its toll physically and mentally on one’s daily life. When relaxation techniques don’t work, many people with sleep problems <\/span>look for medications<\/span><\/a> to aid in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

While taking over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids and supplements may help some, many times, people seek medical professional help and may be prescribed sleeping pills. Benzodiazepines, which include <\/span>Valium<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>diazepam<\/span><\/a>) and <\/span>Xanax<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>alprazolam<\/span><\/a>), are one of the most widely prescribed drug classes for the short-term treatment of insomnia. While several benzodiazepines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating insomnia, lorazepam, a benzodiazepine also known by the brand name Ativan and FDA-approved to treat anxiety, is often prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> as a sleep aid. Continue reading to learn how lorazepam works, who can take it, and possible side effects. <\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>21 ways to sleep better tonight<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Lorazepam for sleep<\/span><\/h2>\n

Benzodiazepines<\/span><\/a> are a class of medications that work by making the central nervous system (CNS) less active. This decrease in nervous system activity makes these medications helpful for various medical conditions, such as daytime anxiety disorders and seizures. <\/span>Clinical studies<\/span><\/a> have shown them to be safe and effective for the treatment of insomnia since their first approval in the 1970s. Lorazepam, approved by the FDA in 1977 under the brand name Ativan, is indicated for the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms. It is often prescribed off-label for the short-term treatment of insomnia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many prescription drugs are prescribed off-label to treat conditions other than those for which they were approved. Since lorazepam has calming effects similar to the benzodiazepines approved to treat insomnia, it is often considered by prescribing healthcare professionals to be an effective option. A <\/span>clinical trial<\/span><\/a> has also shown that lorazepam is as effective as other benzodiazepines in the short-term treatment of insomnia in trial subjects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who can take Lorazepam as a sleep aid?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lorazepam is considered safe and effective for use in those <\/span>12 years of age and older<\/span><\/a>, although off-label use as a sleep aid is usually reserved for adults. Those aged 65 and over may respond to lorazepam with an increase in the incidence of sedation and unsteadiness, therefore, dosing in older patients should start at lower doses and be increased cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking lorazepam may not be suitable for some people with any of the following medical histories or <\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n